Illustration of Jehovah appearing to Moses and 70 elders of Israel, by Jerry Harston

April 25–May 1

Exodus 24; 31–34

“My Presence Shall Go with Thee”

As Moses prepared to lead the children of Israel toward the promised land, the Lord said, “My presence shall go with thee” (Exodus 33:14). As you prepare to teach the children in your class, consider how you can invite the Lord’s presence to “go with [you].”

Record Your Impressions

Invite Sharing

Ask each child to select a numbered piece of paper at random. Use these numbers to determine the order in which the children can share something they are learning from the scriptures, either at home or in Primary.

Teach the Doctrine: Younger Children

Exodus 31:13, 17

Honoring the Sabbath is a sign of my love for the Lord.

The Lord told Moses that when the children of Israel kept the Sabbath day holy, they showed Him that they wanted to be His people.

Possible Activities

• Draw a heart on the board, and ask the children what this symbol can mean. Help them think of other things that can be a sign for love, like a hug or an act of service. Read to them Exodus 31:13. Help them understand that when we keep the Sabbath day holy, it is a sign to the Lord that we love Him.

• Tell the children about some of the ways you try to show your love for the Lord on the Sabbath. Let them share how they and their families do this. Invite them to use this week’s activity page to share more ideas.

  

  By honoring the Sabbath, we show our love for the Lord.

Exodus 32:1–8, 19–24

I can put the Lord first in my life.

While Moses was on Mount Sinai speaking with the Lord, the children of Israel chose to worship a golden idol instead of Him. This story can remind the children you teach that we shouldn’t let other things become more important to us than the Lord.

Possible Activities

• Briefly review the Ten Commandments with the children, emphasizing the first two (see Exodus 20:3–6). Use “Moses on Mount Sinai” (in Old Testament Stories) to share with them the story from Exodus 32:1–8, 19–24. If possible, let the children help you tell the story. Help the children see what the Israelites did wrong in this story (you may want to remind the children of the first two of the Ten Commandments). What should the Israelites have done instead?

• Show a picture of Jesus Christ, along with pictures of other things that children might spend time on, such as toys, games, and so on. Ask the children to find the picture that shows what should be most important to us. Share with the children how you are blessed for putting the Lord first in your life—even before other things that are good.

Exodus 33:11

The Lord talked to Moses face to face.

After Moses destroyed the golden calf, “the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.” Knowing this can build the children’s faith that the Lord is a real person who loves them.

Possible Activities

• Tell the children how you feel when you talk with a good friend, and ask them how they feel. Read to them the first sentence of Exodus 33:11. Ask the children how they think the prophet Moses might have felt. Tell the children about times when you have felt close to the Lord, even if you didn’t see Him with your eyes.

• Sing together a song that expresses how Heavenly Father or Jesus feels about us, such as “Jesus Is Our Loving Friend” (Children’s Songbook, 58). Show pictures of the Savior showing love to others (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 36, 41–43, 46–47). Encourage the children to share how they feel about Heavenly Father and Jesus.

Teach the Doctrine: Older Children

Exodus 31:12–17

Honoring the Sabbath is a sign of my love for the Lord.

Keeping the Sabbath day holy can be easier—and more joyful—for the children when they realize that it is a sign of their commitment to the Lord.

Possible Activities

• Ask the children a few questions to help them understand what a sign is—for example, “What signs let you know that spring is coming or that you’re getting a cold?” Invite them to read Exodus 31:13, 16–17 and find the word “sign.” What did the Lord say is a sign between us and Him? Why is this sign so important?

• Invite the children to take turns explaining why they choose to honor the Sabbath. Videos like “The Sabbath Is for You” or “Upon My Holy Day—Honoring the Sabbath” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) can help.

• Invite the children to write down all the things they can think of that they can do on Sunday to show the Lord that they love Him. Encourage them to share a few things from their lists. Invite them to take their lists home, share them with their families, and refer to them whenever they need ideas about what to do on the Sabbath day.

Exodus 32:1–8, 19–24

I can put the Lord first in my life.

One message from the account in Exodus 32 is the importance of keeping the first two of the Ten Commandments—do not worship anyone or anything other than the Lord.

Possible Activities

• Ask the children to share anything they know about the story of Aaron making a golden calf for the Israelites to worship. If they need help, refer them to Exodus 32:1–8, 19–24, or share with them “Moses on Mount Sinai” (in Old Testament Stories). Why was it wrong for the Israelites to worship an idol? (You might refer the children to the first two of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:3–6.)

• Help the children think of examples of things people may be tempted to worship instead of the Lord—things that draw our attention away from Him. Then ask them to share examples of things that help them focus on the Savior and worship Him.

Exodus 32:1–5, 21–24

I can stand for righteousness.

When the Israelites told Aaron to make a golden idol, he agreed to do it, even though this was wrong (see Deuteronomy 9:20). Consider how you can encourage the children to stand for righteousness, even when others pressure them not to.

Possible Activities

• Invite the children to read Exodus 32:1–5, 21–24, individually or in pairs, and share what they think Aaron should have done when the Israelites asked him to make a golden calf. How might Aaron have helped the people?

• Help the children think of situations they might face when other people ask them to do something they know is wrong. Ask the children to share ideas with each other about what to do in those situations.

Encourage Learning at Home

Invite the children to share with their families any ideas they heard today about how to keep the Sabbath day holy.

Improving Our Teaching

Invite the children to bear testimony. The questions you ask can encourage the children to share how they feel about the Savior and how living the gospel has blessed them. When they do this, they are bearing testimony. (See Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 11, 32.)